The Akron Beacon Journal from Akron, Ohio • Page 11

rsp (jZUb, P.1 2 The Beacon Journal 2M0 Sunday, July 15, 1990. BASEBALL Going places, but not at the moment I Despite his success, Indians' Kovach to stay in Class A By Michael Holley Beacon Journal staff writer earned-run average and allowing only 73 hits in 120 innings. Including his last eight starts of 1989, he is 18-4 over the last two seasons. "One of the big things Ty is doing is consistently throwing strikes," Kinston manager Brian Graham said. "I attribute that mainly to his refined mechanics, and that credit has to go to his pitching coach, Fred Gladding." Kovach, who was 12-0 in high school and a fifth-round 1988 Kovach talks like a man yho appreciates the nuances of patching.

Furthermore, Kovach, a 6-foot-Z- 185-pound pitcher for the Class (N.C.) Indians, is low-kf and self-deprecating in talking about his success in the Cleveland organization. But the 21-year-old 1987 graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary High has been The Man for Kinston, compiling a 12-3 record, 2.23 Tribe's crystal ball outing. He's a great coach and we're really fortunate to have him here." Kovach says his best pitch is his fastball, which been clocked at 94 mph but is "consistently thrown at 88 or 89." In his first two pro seasons, Kovach also has been stingy with hits.

He gave up 88 in 94 innings with Waterbury, where he went 6-1 with a 1.83 ERA in his last eight starts. He also struck out 39 batters in his last 39 innings. Despite Kovach's sparkling statistics, Jraham, who also was the head man at Watertown in '89, doesn't see any logic in moving the right-hander up another level any time soon. "He's right where he should be, refining his mechanics and putting together a good season in the Carolina League," said Gra- ham. "I don't think there would be any benefit of him going anywhere at this time." However, Kovach, whose parents live in Medina, wouldn't mind pitching for Double-A Canton-Akron, where ex-pitching mate Tom Kramer was promoted last month.

"I suppose Cleveland has a plan for me. They said I'm going to finish out the year in Kinston, so I guess it doesn't matter if I go 20-3 here. "It's kind of disappointing because I was kind of looking forward to getting back home. I guess Cleveland knows what's best for me." Cleveland draft choice, cites a myriad of factors for his good season. "The first half of the season everybody was playing well behind me and scoring a lot of runs.

I'm a ground-ball pitcher and all year the defense has been playing well," Kovach said. "It's a little of everything: defense, runs and coaching." After high school, Kovach enrolled at Central Arizona College in Coolidge. He was signed by scout John Burden in September of 1988 and played at Watertown, N.Y., of the New York-Penn League, where he went 7-4 with a 3.61 ERA. But it was his work with Central Arizona coach Larry Nowlin that got him to that level. "He played in the Houston organization and really helped me with my mechanics," Kovach said.

"I left high school throwing 82 miles an hour, and now I can go 10 miles an hour higher than that. It was a mixture of lifting weights, good coaching and paying attention to mechanics." And attention to detail, Kovach says, is what makes Gladding an outstanding pitching coach. "Fred's a great person. Sometimes when you're out there and having problems, he wants you to try and correct it yourself. But if you don't, he comes out and talks to you.

He's a great talker. "He likes to talk to you one-on-one after a game and discuss an Beacon Journal file photo Ty Kovach won't move up to Can ton-Akron this season I I mmmmmmmnmm mm TIRE CENTERS INC. Continued from page Dl and hit right at someone." Baltimore, Aug. 26 After edging the Orioles 3-2 on two home runs by Felix Fermin and another timely double play by Cory Snyder, the Indians return to Cleveland in first place, one game ahead of Toronto. The team is met at Hopkins Airport by thousands of cheering fans, including Joe Carter, who asks Hank Peters if he can come Jiack.

f' "My wife and kids are allowed pn Padres charters, but the team Voted to kick me off," Carter laments. "I also heard the schools around here are much better than When I left." I Cleveland, Aug. 31 With Jive sellouts in a row at the Stadium, the Gateway Committee circulates a petition to increase the kize of the new stadium to 125,000. "What we lose in intimacy, we gain in national recognition when the Goodyear blimp takes those aerial shots," reasons a commission member. Minneapolis, Sept.

8 After six consecutive losses, Cleveland drops three games behind the Blue Jays, who have acquired pon Mattingly from the Yankees and Bret Saberhagen from the Royals. News about the Indians is filled with pessimism: Cory Snyder hasn't grounded into a double play for week, Al Nipper's knuckleball has become straight ias a string, and Joe Carter has called Toronto GM Pat Gillick about becoming a Canadian citizen. i Cleveland, Sept. 9 The Tribe returns home from Minnesota and is met at Hopkins Airport by a giant throng. But this time the fans are angry.

They have set fire to a life-sized effigy of John McNamara built out of unused tickets. Cleveland, Sept. 10 The Gateway Committee recommends unanimously that the Indians' new stadium have a maximum of 2,800 seats. "The fewer people that see these turkeys, the better," one committee member says. New York, Sept.

20 Bret Saberhagen is 0-3 for Toronto and Don Mattingly is batting .062. The Indians win their ninth in a row, beating the Yankees 32-3 as George Steinbrenner fires a guy named Trump and hires the majors' first woman manager, Leona Helmsley. Steinbrenner explains: "When I look at Leona, I don't see a woman, I see a sensitive individual who knows how to handle people." Toronto, Sept. 21 First place hangs in the balance as the Indians begin a crucial 3-game series with the Blue Jays, who have released Don Mattingly and Bret Saberhagen. With rosters expandable to 40 players, Hank Peters pulls out all the stops, recalling Sergio Valdez from Colorado Springs and coaxing Rafael Santana out of retirement.

John McNamara meets with reporters, who want to know what he will do with Valdez and Santana. "We could use another batting-practice pitcher," the manager says. "And I need someone to keep Joe Carter from sneaking into the clubhouse." Toronto, Sept. 23 After splitting the first two games, the Indians and Blue Jays remain tied for first place. But oh, oh the crystal ball is starting to fade out.

Everything is getting cloudy. Looks like we'll have to wait and see what happens. Even if it takes the rest of the season. lAmenca's Largest independent Tre Deae' ilFGoodrich FEATURING TIRES BFGOODRICH Fft'RADIALS BECAUSE SO MUCH IS RIDING ON YOUR TIRES." A Good Deal On A Great Tire 40 PRICES GOOD THRU 7-21-90 mmm I 55,000 Manf. Mileage Warranty I nwi la michelin rmre BECAUSE SO MUCH IS A GOOD DEAL ON A GREAT TIRE RIDING ON YOUR TIRES XZ4 For Luxury Domestic Cars Long-Mileage Alt-Weather Radial Why buy from Tire Centers Enjoy buying power of America's largest independent tire dealer Quality tires at lowest prices Expert service advice Wide selection to choose from MICHELIN XA4 For Domestic Imported Cars Long Mileage All-Weather Radial A GOOD DEAL ON A GREAT TIRE VOYAGER 1000 Whitewall 195-75R14 63.95 205-75R14 66.95 205-75R15 68.95 225-75R15 75.95 235-75R15 79.95 195-70R13 57.95 185-70R14 59.95 205-70R14 64.95 MICHELIN BECAUSE SO MUCH IS RIDING ON YOUR TIRES XA4 Whitewall 155-800 13 51.95 165-80R13 56.95 175-80R13 65.95 185-75R14 74.95 195-75R14 77.95 205-75R15 86.95 215-75R15 89.95 225-75R15 92.95 235-75R15 98.95 185-70R14 79.95 205-70R14 89.95 215-70R15 96.95 LIBERATOR II $23.95 P15580R13 WHITEWALL P16580R13 29.95 P175 80R13 31.95 P185 80R13 32.95 P18575R14 33.95 P195 75R14 34.95 P205 75R14 35.95 P205 75R15.

36.95 P225 75R15 40.95 P23575R15 41.95 METRIC $23.95 155R12 Blackwall 155R13 37.95 165R13 41.95 17570R13 41.95 18570R13 43.95 18570R14 46.95 19570R14 48.95 P19575RH 75.951 WrtitedH P205 75R 1 4 89.9 5 215-70R15 69.95 225-70R15 74. 40,000 TCI Mileage Warranty A GOOD jEAl 0NiGATTE CHARGER 70 RWL or Blackwall tough again, Indians win again 47.95 49.95 MICHELIN BECAUSE SO MUCH IS RIDING ON YOUR TIRES MXL Low-Profile For Imported Cars Excellent Handling Mileage 17570SR13 60.95 18570SR13 67.95 50,000 Manf. (N Miteage Warranty Jai fecf.y.yr.fj.i' MICHELIN k' i BECAUSE SO MUCH IS THE ADVANTAGE TIRES Whitewall XZA P17580R13 42.95 Metric Sizes For P18580R13 45.95 Small Imported Cars P18575R14 49.95 Long-Mileage Tread P19575R14 53.95 145SR13 45.95 P20575R14 55.95 155SR13 46.95 P20575m5 57 95 165 SR13 .50.95 P21575R15 59.95 165SR15 61.95 P23575R15 61.95 54.95 55.95 58.95 r' 175 70SR13 185 70SR13 195 70SR14 205 70SR14 21570SR14 21570SR15 225 70SR15 21565SR15 A GOOD DEAL ON A GREAT TIRE CHARGER HR P18560HR14 73.95 P19560HR14 75.95 P21560HR14 81.95 P19560HR15 78.95 P20560HR15 81.95 P21560HR15 85.95 P22560HR15 87.95 P21565HR15 85.95 P19550HR15 93.95 P20550HR15 101.95 P22550HR16 129.95 P24550HR16 140.95 LIFESAVER IV All-Season Radial Whitewall P155 80R13 29.95 P16580R13 34.95 P17580R13 36.95 P18580R13 38.95 P18575R14 40.95 P195 75R14 42.95 P20575R14 45.95 P20575R15 47.95 P215 75R15 49.95 P22575R15 51.95 P23575R15 53.95 61.95 65.95 66.95 CHARGER 60 We know there's so much riding on your That's why we wont to help you select the right Michelin radial to give you long mileage, traction and quality. Continued from page Dl record was 19-18. 21560SR14 61.95 23560SR15 69.95 18570SR14 70.95 19570SR14 73.95 20570SR14 82.95 19560SR15 58.95 205 60SR15 a 61.95 NEW 53 A GOOD DEAL ON A GREAT TIRE METRIC 1000H Speed Rated to Canton for two starts with the Double-A Indians beginning Thursday.

His 20-day rehabilitation assignment also will include a start with Canton-Akron July 24 before he is activated in time to start against the Yankees In a July 29 doubleheader in Cleveland. But why wait until Thursday to send him to rehab? "John threw yesterday and his fastball and changeup were all right," McNamara said. "But (pitching coach) Mark Wiley wants to see him throw his slider one more time before we send him out." McNamara was not prepared to bury Jeeee Orotco for his horrid relief outing Friday night. Taking over for Tom Candlottl in the eighth inning with a 13-1 lead, Orosco faced 10 batters, retired two and gave up six runs, and never mind that four were unearned because of Falix Farmln'a error. "Jesse hadn't pitched since Sunday, and he just made poor pitches," McNamara said.

"I wanted Orosco to pitch the eighth and then use Mlka Walker in the ninth if Jesse had kept the big lead." Instead, Rudy Saanaz was summoned with two outs in the eighth. He got out of the inning and also finished the ninth as Cleveland won 13-7. Seattle has made it official: Bill Swift (2-2, 2.29 ERA) will start today. McNamara has named his pitchers for Wednesday's doubleheader in Oakland: Candiotti and Bud Black, who will come back with after only three days rest. MICHELIN SPORT MXV For Imported Luxury Performance Sedans Excellent Wet-Road Grip COMPTAHR4 Speed Rated BW P18570HR13 83.95 P19570HR14 89.95 P18560HR14 86.95 P19560HR14 91.95 P21560HR14 99.95 P19560HR15 94.95 P20560HR15 96.95 P21560HR15 99.95 Raised White Letters P23560HR15 121.95 P25560HR15 128.95 P21565HR15 115.95 MICHELIN BECAUSE SO MUCH IS RIDING ON YOUR TIRES SPORT MXV 18570HR13 91.95 '18570HR14 99.95 20570HR14 110.05 18565HR14 105.95 19565HR14 114.95 20565HR15 131.95 18560HR14 102.95 19560HR14 107.95 19560HR15 116.95 20560HR15 :..123.95 "VR" Speed Rated Available RADIAL TA 70 Speed Rated Raised White Letters P17570SR13 48.95 P18570SR13 55.95 P19570SR13 57.95 P20570SR13 59.95 P185 70SR14 59.95 P19570SR14 61.95 P20570SR14 64.95 P21570SR14 67.95 P22570SR14 72.95 P235 70SR14 76.95 P21570SR15 69.95 P22570SR15 71.95 P23570SR15 73.95 P25570SR15 85.95 BECAUSE SO MUCH IS RIDING ON YOUR TIRES TRX For Special Metric Wheels High-Pertormance Radial And Rated 16570HR365 95.95 98.95 120.95 20060VR390 155.95 22055HR390 123.95 22055VR390 163.95 17570R13 53.95 SAFARI AWR Outline White Letters P23575R15 74.95 LT23575R15-C 96.95 30x9 50R15-C 91.95 31X10.50R15-C 101.95 33x12.50R15-C .119.95 33x12.50R16.5-C .123.95 Outline Black Letters LT21585R16-0 99.95 LT23585R16-D .112.95 LT23585R16-E .114.95 8.75R16.5LT-D 98.95 9.50R16.5LT-D 113.95 BAD NEWS for all of you Jeff Kaiser fans.

Your man has been placed on the 15-jjay disabled list with "lower-back pain," as John McNamara described it. "He hasn't been available since last weekend," the manager said Saturday, i The Tribe will undoubtedly miss Kaiser. In five appearances, he is 0-0 with a 3.55 earned-run average. But that hardly tells ihe whole story. In only 12 innings, Kaiser has allowed 16 hits and seven walks.

Rival hitters are batting .308 against him. He also has permitted 4-of-7 inherited runners to score. Kaiser is no stranger to the disabled list. This is the fifth time in his career he has visited the DL, including three times as a (ninor-leaguer. As a member of the Indians, Kaiser has been disabled twice.

The first time was In 1987 when he suffered a Sprained pectoral muscle. Coincidental, or maybe not, the Tribe heeded a spot on the roster to make room for Charles Nagy, who starts today against the Mariners. Someone had to go and kaiser was a prime candidate. NOTEBOOK John Farrtll will be off 18570R13 55.95 18S70R14 57.95 19570R14 60.95 20570R14 63.95 "I I OIL, LUBE FILTER I II ssf ssfefsf sfitflfe 11 I A BRAKES FRONT DISC OR REAR DRUM LIFETIME WARRANTY ON PADS SHOES Install new front disc pad or brake linings. In- 1 88 tpect mounting hardware, wheel cylinders, and 1 lj hydraulic system.

Add fluid, adjust and road test. "isf METALLIC PADS EXTRA MOST CARS Most U.S. I Foreign Cars SMOOTH 3 OPERATORS Monroe Gas-Matic shocks and struts LJ take the "bounce" out of any road. LIFETIME GUARANTEE Price includes up to I 5 quarts of 10W30oil. EXPIRES 7-21-90 I I 5.00 OFF ANY BATTERY TRIBE DATA Fro Installation Free Charging System Tost CYDIDCC T-O l-Oft i-r eMtsesaojsst asl Box score COMPUTERIZED WHEEL ALIGNMENT We'll set oN adjustable angles to manufacturer's original specifications.

90 DAYS SAME AS CASH With Approved Credit sississjssisssssiesississiseississiseil Inspect cooling system, Jt 4f OOI 5 dean coil, check com- 31 IJOO! I pressor, I 11 1 pressure, inspect elec- I tnalcomponents. FREON EXTRA MOST U.S. FOREIGN CARS I la a. a. 0.1 FBONT END CLEVELAND 3, SEATTLE 22" ZZtZ.

CALL MCm FOR mmm Mbn AUONMEKT THBl'RT ANGLE AIJGNMKNT 4.WHEEL ALIGNMENT APPT. Tab Wat rraaaratl la Mtaee lad Sean I eettmes UaiHed laaar WHIM lire Irrhoe tsaeeele. 1 7 8 TO 6, SAT. 8 TO 3 lcac7uattos I ieaolia latieaal last, letNMts. CLEVELAND SEATTLE abrhbi abrhbi Browne 26 2 0 0 I Reynolds 2b 3 0 0 0 Webster cf 5 0 0 0 Cotto rf 3 0 0 0 erxens3b 5 0 2 0 Griffey cf 30 10 Maldonado If 3 0 0 0 Leonard dh 4 0 0 0 James dh 3 110 Jones If 4 0 10 Jacobv lb 4 0 0 0 EMartinez 3b 4 0 2 0 Snvderrf 3 1 1 1 POBrien lb 4 0 0 0 Alomar 2 10 0 Vallec 3 0 0 0 Fermin ss 3 0 2 0 Schaefer ss 2 0 0 0 Brumley ss 10 10 Jetah 30 3 1 2 Totals 31 0 0 Cleveland 020 100 000-3 Sea We 000 000 000-0 AKRON-PENINSULA AKRON EXCHANGE AKRON-ARLINGTON Scoring INDIANS SECOND Johnson pitching.

Maldon-ado struck out. Chris James tripled. Jacobv flied out. James scored on a passed ball. Snyder homered.

Alomar walked. Fermin singled, Alomar slopping at second. Browne wanted to load the bases. Webster struck out. Cleveland 2, Seattle 0.

INDIANS FOURTH Alomar walked and advanced to third on Fermtn's single. Browne's sacrifice fly scored Alomar. Webster flied out. Brook ens singled, Fermin stopoing at second. Maldonado struck out.

Cleveland 3, Seattle Comparison (Through 85 gamaa) RECORD 90 Overall 43 42 90 Home 23 20 90 Road 20 22 89 Overall 40 45 '89 Home 21 21 "89 Road 19 24 HOME ATTENDANCE "90 through 41 dates 757,855 90 average 18,484 '89 through 41 dates 691.116 '89 average 16.856 TIRE 241 WoosterRd. 753-0358 Magic City Shopping Crr. AKRON -MAIN 401 S. Main St. 434-2101 Formerly F.

Goodrich 1521 Akron-Peninsula Rd. 928-8416 Formerly Coletta's Auto 3200 Arlington Rd. S. 645-0511 Behind Burger King 160 W. Exchange 376-2784 Next to Children's Hospital WOOSTER 5171 liberty 263-0770 Formerly Goodrich CANTON N.

4501 Cleveland Ave. W. 494-7626 Newt to fnher foods CANTON SOUTH 3115 Cleveland Ave. 484-2800 Southgof Shop. C.

MASSIUON 7934 Hills Dales N.W. 833-9941 Nef to Rrmknger Ofdi DP-Cie. 1, Sea. 1. LOB-Cle 9, Sea.

7. 2B-Gritley, EMartinez 3B CJames. HR Snyder (12). B'owne. SF Browne.

Oevetand IP ER BB SO B.acH 1-4 Pi 4 0 2 2 DJonesS.25 V-1 1 0 0 0 0 Sea tie RJohnson L. I 4 3 3 7 4 ComsloO 0 0 0 0 0 footer "i 0 0 0 0 RJonnson faced 1 batter in rth. HBP Cotto by OJones. WP-eX PB-Vaie. T-121 A 17,735..